Everyday Food For Everyday People

I am kicking off my first recipe of 2019 with these Chicken Koftas! A lovely way to bring summer into your home in amidst the January cold. These Greek style chicken kebabs are lightly spiced, packed with fresh mint and deliver on flavour. Check them out!

Happy New Year! Yes, I'm six days late, but I finally made it back. To say things have been a bit on the busy and hectic side around here lately would be the understatement of the year. I'm ready to get back to my routine. And first and foremost on my list of to dos is cooking and writing. My favourite things to do.

Yesterday, after the house cleared out and I found myself with some time on my hands, I basically passed out. I had intended on getting so much done. I only sat on the soft for 5 minutes, or so I thought. Two and a half hours later I woke up dazed and confused. The house still a mess, the dog not walked, laundry piled on the kitchen floor and dishes that I wanted to set alight. Uggh. Where's that magic genie when I need her?

You see, not only was it Christmas, New Years, throw in a house guest, then to top it off it was Oliver's 14th birthday on Friday. He's my son, if your just tuning into this channel. Just 36 hours before his birthday he decided he wanted to to have a party. A home made pizza party at that. Why was I just finding out about it? Normally 36 hours is plenty of time to get everything in order, not ideal, but workable. But I had a full day ahead of me with not a spare minute to get a party organized. So my 36 hours now are diminished to 12 and I do need to sleep, right?

So I made do. I rushed around like in a frantic way the evening before his birthday picking up balloons, plates, junk food, pizza ingredients and all that makes a birthday party. Got home at 6:30 and got straight to work. Passed out sometime way past witching hour. Only to be awakened at 6:00 am by that bleeping alarm.

Managed to drag myself out of bed to get on with the party preparations and the requested waffle family breakfast. Which was nice. He was happy. I was pleased. So, it's worth it, right?

Anyway the party went off without a hitch. They all went home at 11:00 pm and I left the mess and high tailed it to bed with visions of nothing!

Which finally brings me to these Chicken Koftas.

After I woke in a dazed state on the sofa yesterday, all I could think about the cooking. I looked around the house at the Christmas decorations mixed in with a Happy Birthday banner, deflated balloons, spilt cups of soft drinks and so on. I just wanted to hide. But I faced it and got it all cleared away just in time to have some me time and cook something nice.

I love cooking, it's kind of like my therapy...ha! But really, I find it relaxing and rewarding. Well, I have my days of hatred like everyone else, trust me, but for the most part it really is my happy place.

So, yesterday after all he chaos, all I wanted to do was cook something.

After just five minutes of sitting at the computer and searchingEpicurious, I knew what I was going to make, these Chicken Koftas. I found a recipe over there which is what I used to make these. There were some changes, but not too many. Theirs was a meatball recipe for starters and you can check that out here if you like.

Right, let's take a look at these Koftas!

Notes about the koftas:

This was my first time ever using ground chicken to make a kebab stick. I had honestly planned on making meatballs like the one I saw on Epicurious, but I forgot the pita bread to stuff them in. So, kebabs it was. I was sceptical and didn't think it would work, but it was really so easy. I was surprised and pleased.

I used only ground chicken breast, but I think it would be better with a mix of breast and dark meat. Next time, I think I'll try that.

You can cook them on the stove top or in the oven. I recommend the oven for a more even cooking. Also, I cooked my on cast iron but it's not essential. If you have cast iron, use it!

I served these with a Minted Yoghurt Dipand a easy three ingredient salad, as shown in the photos. I think the dip is essential. Or your could use Cucumber Raita or Tzatziki. Either way, make a dip for the chicken. Or you could buy one, there's no shame in that!

Peel and roughly chop the onion. Put the onion and the garlic in a processor and blitz until it is minced fine. Remove from food processor and wipe clean.

Add the mint leaves to the food processor and blitz until finely chopped. Remove from food processor and set aside.

In a medium skillet set over medium heat, add about 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the minced onion and garlic and give a good stir. Cook stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes. Add the coriander, cumin, red pepper flakes and salt. Stir for a minute and remove from heat.

In a large bowl combine the chicken, onion mixture and mint. Stir well to combine completely.

Have ready 10 wooden skewers.

Using your hands, scoop up a small ball sized portion of the mixture. Push it onto the top of the skewer and start flattening it out with your hands and pushing it down the stick. It should cover about 2/3 of the stick. Repeat for all sticks.

Place a large baking tray in a preheated 375 degree F oven for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and drizzle the tray with remaining olive oil. Place the skewers on the tray and put in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes and remove from oven and turn them over. Return to oven for remaining 15 minutes or until cooked through.